Another Liberian-American Elected As Mayor In The U.S.

Brooklyn Center, MN: A Liberian-American, Mr. Mike Elliott has won the Brooklyn Center City Mayoral Elections in Minnesota, the United States. Brooklyn Park is home to thousands of Liberian-Americans.

Mr. Elliot becomes the first Liberian-American to head the city which is home of thousands of Liberian immigrants. He defeated the incumbent Mayor Tim Wilson who was backed by powerful interests in the city.

He defeated Mr. Wilson who headed the city for nearly 11 years with nearly 10 points in an election many thought favored Mr. Wilson. Elliott received 54.68% amounting to 5,258 votes while Wilson got 44.73% or 4,297.

Liberian and American supporters of Elliott canvased for and volunteered on Tuesday at polling stations and in the community in Minnesota.

Mayor Elect Mike Elliot Campaigning

Many political commentators considered the Nov. 6, 2018 race between Elliot and Wilson as a rematch of the 2014 in which Wilson crushed Elliott. Immigrants are seen as key to electoral race now in the US. Major political parties have begun courting immigrants votes and candidates.

Elliott will be the second Liberian-American to head a US municipal government. Mr. Wilmot Collins, a former refugee from Liberia was elected as the Mayor of Helena, Montana in 2017, beating out a four-term incumbent.

Meanwhile, Liberian community leaders on social media are hailing Mr. Elliot’s victory.

Comments

Joel Cholo Brooks is a Liberian journalist who previously worked for several international news outlets including the BBC African Service. He is the CEO of the Global News Network which publishes two local weeklies, The Star and The GNN-Liberia Newspapers. He is a member of the Press Union Of Liberia (PUL) since 1986, and several other international organizations of journalists, and is currently contributing to the South Africa Broadcasting Corporation as Liberia Correspondent.